Meadow Lane Hearing postponed indefinitely

Thursday

May 10, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 10, 2007 at 10:17 AM

Last Thursday, the Conservation Commission heard testimony for construction on Meadow Lane. The public hearing has been indefinitely postponed due to an outstanding appeal for a building permit with the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Building Inspector Bob Egan issued a building permit for the construction at Lot B on Meadow Lane back in October. Although the property contains wetlands that fall under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission, the commission was not notated on the original plans. The owner of the property, Steven Ross, did not come before the Commission to get a variance or order of conditions. An order of conditions is required if there is construction within 100 feet of wetlands and a variance is needed if the structure is within 50 feet of wetlands.

Nancy White

Last Thursday, the Conservation Commission heard testimony for construction on Meadow Lane. The public hearing has been indefinitely postponed due to an outstanding appeal for a building permit with the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Building Inspector Bob Egan issued a building permit for the construction at Lot B on Meadow Lane back in October. Although the property contains wetlands that fall under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission, the commission was not notated on the original plans. The owner of the property, Steven Ross, did not come before the Commission to get a variance or order of conditions. An order of conditions is required if there is construction within 100 feet of wetlands and a variance is needed if the structure is within 50 feet of wetlands.

Construction began over the winter and was stopped when a nearby neighbor appealed the permit on grounds of improper frontage. The ZBA found the permit to have improper frontage and halted construction. The permit is now under appeal in the court. Conservation agent Paul Shea advised the Commission to leave the hearing open until it heard back from the Zoning Board and the court’s decision on the appeal has been determined.

“We need to have more information before us before closing the hearing,” Shea said.

The Conservation Commission voted to continue the hearing indefinitely, the hearing will be resumed after a decision has been made by the ZBA. At that time a second hearing and notice of intent will need to come before the Commission. In the meantime, Shea suggested that the owners submit a separate application for an access road. The Commission also requested that the 50-foot buffer zone to the wetlands be restored until such time when it can be reviewed by the board.

Water mains get approval from Con. Comm.

The Conservation Commission reviewed a notice of intent from the Cohasset Water Department to install new water mains at various street locations in town. The Water Department also proposed a 12-foot paved driveway leading to the pumping station on Bear Hill Booster station off Pleasant Street. The Conservation Commission requested that the driveway be 10 feet wide, instead of the proposed 12 feet. In order to have access to the pumping station at all times, particularly in winter months, the Water Department felt it needed paved driveway for snow plowing. Trucks will need to have access to the pumping station at least five days a week and tractor trailers need access for maintenance at the building every few years.

The Commission issued a variance for the various street locations with stipulations that the plan would reflect a 10-foot paved driveway leading to the pumping station and include stormwater detainment measures. The Water Department will also need to contact DEP to change a water main on Border Street, once approved by the state it will be reflected in the variance approved by the Commission.

Cat Dam Repairs

Neighbors of the Cat Dam (near Nichols Road) appeared in front of the Conservation Commission to discuss needed maintenance to the dam. The so-called dam does not prohibit the flow of water; instead it slows the flow of water from inner to outer Little Harbor. The structure was built by the state but handed over to the town at the completion of the project. John Beck of 44 Nichols Road informally presented to the Commission the proposal.

Although the town owns the dam, the surrounding neighbors have paid for the regular maintenance of the dam in the past. Beck said that the steel pieces in the dam have rusted and will need to be replaced, but this replacement will not materially change the function of the dam, he said.

The Commission suggested that the group file a one-page administration review application for the town to have on file. Beck said work, overseen by the DPW, is expected to begin in the coming weeks.